New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-28
DIR. EG0LESTON AT HOME.
A LITERARY WORKSHOP OVERLOOKING
LAKE GEORGE


dwell with soothfastnesse" This motto is inscribed just
within the door of Dr. Edward Eggestons library, q
substantial stone building overlooking Dunhams Bay
which sets out from the main waters OF Lake George
two or three miles from Caldwell. Measured from head
land to headlsnd-that ia, from Woods Point on the
south to wost Point on the north-Dunhams Bay 10 a
rsthor imposing portion of the lake, but the wooded out
limos Of tho small bays which form parts OF Is % meet
and mue to tho eye OF passing mp down the lake
on ono Of tho steamboats, tst no wsala probably 0rer
look that Dunhams Bay 0f the largest OF
the bays hat ndsRt the shore giving eosss
limo gf three four huBarea miles. Tire 9HsssieH from
Cbaueer which Eesisston hss ssd es into tke aoev-
past VI his library found also his bSok sASw
Ing 1t 70 he fsvere passaee Whether photography
OF 1t In eOrrsct quite esrtajn bat nm not ~ all
doubtful that DE- Bgsleston has diligently ofeycd one
portion VI The Injunction Hs hiss IN truth flown from
tho pres,s" which here tho crowd for 1t would
DO hard to Dd secluded charming and yet easily
accessible abode FOR literary worker From the press
In another sense he has not been so successful In esca
log. tells that although he has not published
anything eAccpt few magazine articles in nearly ten
years, ne has been more written up" by newspaper
OF late than before How far he has been able
to dwell with soothfastness" truth, probably his
History Of Life In tho American Colonies when pub.
lished, will tell.
Just at present the Doctor turning aside from his
regular historical work. which he has been engaged
for years, to fulfil another literary engagement
but next winter will him occupied again with lis
studies of Colonial life. when he will devote ais energies
to getting out frat volume of history upon which
he has been long at work or what this will be the
chapters which have been published from mo to time In
"The Century" have given the public taste II will un.
doubedy take It's place exhaustive and complete
history OF period which has not been at all adequately
treated before Whom DR. Eggeston began his historical
studies he thought that he would be able 70 make his
researches and write his history in three years Two
-i.yna Al 40
in London no said that he had been at work Ave years
his history and ut least three years before
him Now he will not venture to predict when the end
OF his laborious undertaking will be reached. He has
travelled large portion OF the States which
the Thirteen Colonies In his quest for materials but
the richest storehouse which no discovered was in the
British Museum and the Public Record oice in London.
Here another illustration OF the saying that In order
TO the truth about ourselves must go away from
home.
After DR. Eggleston gave up bis Brooklyn church I'm
1879 he went abroad for year. and his return de
termned TO make his home at Lake George, which
his oldest daughter resided Accordingly he built his
house. known as Owls Nest" unwooded hill
tho upper end OF Dunhams Bay. few steps from IT
and the lake is his library bt OF stone quarried
in the neighborhood. Entering by the door on the
western side visitor finds himself In passage from
which opens the studio OF tho authors artist daughter
Turning the right and throwing aside portiere, one
1t IA large. plainly furnished. weighted ROOM There
are books in abuh nee and immense fireplace Is
to attract attention So Is the huge oddooking chair
which DIR. Eggloston sits In when st his desk The
Doctor recently taken TO nsng writer but has
yet learned to compose while lingering the keys He
employs II for writing letters however, and Mrs.
Eggeston has acquired considerable skill In handling It
aud assists her husband by copying his anuscrpts The
Doctors library consists OF 900 1000 volumes. He
has aud valuable Americana, but he Is not
book collector except he finds books useful One OF
HIS book Is made from cherry tree cut his
in-aws farm few miles distant The neighborhood is
rich In Indian relics Of which he has collected not few
old that stood this land, lie alongside
OF the library hearth.
DR.. Egglestons mode OF living is simple Tie devoes
three four hours day not moreto literary work
From Till, rule /, he s In his library The after
he spends in outdoor exercise. He s fond OF
ing and sometimes INDUCES in fishing II is pleasant
sight him gagged In playing with his four grand
children. who very fond OF their grandfather and
take all OF liberties with his long beard and hair
The Doctors hair which, by the way, is turning gray
rather rapidly Ia not long no used 20 1t in
tho days when Mr.. Beecher wished TO speak with him
after in Plymouth Church and called out
him: Come up here. shaggy man" HIS boats we'll
In the upper part lake lie has learned
manage SAIL but this year he has introduced novel
idea, and when the wind is favorable he manages TO
pei his rowboat by OF large umbrella IL IL such
30 umbrella Is used In New-York frequently by truck
stage drivers Thiss up In noVohcd board In the
bow the tho handle being attached by piece of
Irvine the rowocks and before the wind IL carries
the boat along surprisingly fast With tue wind abeam
fair progress also DO made but when going against
the wind the umbrella has TO be taken down and the
taken up The Doctor claims tho honor Of introducing
this hea another year he expects the umbrella TO be
used sail in good many other boats, and he is pre-
pared TO hear least dozen other claim that they
the first to make OF IT.
ono disadvantage OF his Lake George homo DIR.
Rggleston has found to be the distance from tho post
ofce II four miles to Caldwell. and communication
IL not always regular and prompt rs he wishes SO
for time he has been endeavorng TO get postoce
established close at hand. lie has had vouminous cor
respondence with The Postofice Department and has
personally visited the officials In Washington and ex
planned his needs lie has at last succeeded and
certain formalities arc completed his postotce ad
makes the third rock that forms part Of the name OF
Lake George postoce There are already Rogers Rock
posing either Of these hut IL ia wellknown feature
OF Dunhsm's Bay. The name is derived from Joshua
Harris and there Ia tradition that Joshua once killed
bear close TO the rock which s soon t. be enshrined in
George. recent writer IN "rhe Critic suggested that
country and spend nine months OF the year there coming
for three months vacation TO speak. In the
Tln,er This e the plan adopted by Dr. Egseslen but
vacation by any means When in town he usually lives
In feminist. as he likes TO be near the Asor Library and
he Is q clkuown figure In the Century and Authors
Clubs. The Doctor is an excellent taker and expresses
himself freely every subject He reads little
temporary literature and has little sympathy with !
those who exalt the modern school OF realism In fiction
II plain from HIS conversation that he ranks George
Eliot at the head of novelists His novel writing
as he has told limits Forum article, partly inspired
by reading Tanes Art In the Netherlands" who'll
urged a writer to write about that which he know
Hence he dashed on "The Hooscr schoomaster whilo
engaged In editorial work and has been by far tho best
selling OF his novels. The ates: of these written
diversion from his other duties when IN Europe year
IL a BarDarns
Is 10 appear in the next volume OF Tho Century"
FATAL FLEL-OURF.
From The Portland press